Ariis From Poland, joined Sep 2004, 406 posts, RR: 1 Posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 1289 times:
Hi there,
I was just wondering, why is it that almost none of the (D)SLRs have mode dials on the right side? I have always thought that having it on the right is much more convenient and that it is a natural trend to place it there (so you can operate it /theoretically/ with just one hand), but only EOS 300V, X, D through EOS 350D line seems to follow this scheme.
Nothing really important, just a question that bothered me for a while.
Sean377 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 1225 posts, RR: 51 Reply 2, posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 1267 times:
Possibly just to 'even' out the controls. The shutter release and control wheel are already on the right. And most other Canon's have the LCD screen on the right, so no room for the dial there. Perhaps it just a 'historic' thing???
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man... Landing is the first!
Ariis From Poland, joined Sep 2004, 406 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1204 times:
Quoting 9VSPO (Reply 1): Most people are right handed.
Exactly. Why is it, in 90% of cases, on the left then?
Quoting Viv (Reply 5): It's on the right on mine (Nikon D200).
Is it?
Just in case, by saying "on the right" I meant having to operate it with right hand (on the right when you look into the viewfinder). And, by mode dial I mean the large round dial that you turn to switch from Auto to Time Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, etc.
Sean377 provided valid points, but still I am curious. Any ideas?
Yes, it is! To change modes there is a small button on the right. You press it with the index finger while turning the master control wheel with your thumb - BOTH ON THE RIGHT HAND.
Sean377 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 1225 posts, RR: 51 Reply 9, posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1175 times:
I think the real reason is this: most people are right-handed and most cameras are built with this in mind, i.e. the 'grip' is on the right. So you hold the camera in your right hand and change settings with your left. So it makes sense to put that dial on the left. Saves having to bring your left hand over the camera - maybe awkward with a flash attached?
That's my best guess. Take it or leave it!
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man... Landing is the first!
Jorge1812 From Germany, joined Apr 2004, 3139 posts, RR: 10 Reply 10, posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 1142 times:
Quoting Sean377 (Reply 9): I think the real reason is this: most people are right-handed and most cameras are built with this in mind, i.e. the 'grip' is on the right. So you hold the camera in your right hand and change settings with your left. So it makes sense to put that dial on the left. Saves having to bring your left hand over the camera - maybe awkward with a flash attached?
Nobody saw my 350D or am I getting something wrong with the mode dial?
Sean377 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 1225 posts, RR: 51 Reply 11, posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1126 times:
Quoting Jorge1812 (Reply 10): Nobody saw my 350D or am I getting something wrong with the mode dial?
Georg
I think the thread starter has acknowledged in his opening post that the 350D is one of the few models that do not follow the convention of having the dial on the left and wonders why.
Sean
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man... Landing is the first!
Jorge1812 From Germany, joined Apr 2004, 3139 posts, RR: 10 Reply 12, posted (6 years 1 month 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1119 times:
Quoting Sean377 (Reply 11): I think the thread starter has acknowledged in his opening post that the 350D is one of the few models that do not follow the convention of having the dial on the left and wonders why.
Oh, I read it too fast and thought he meant all cameras even the 350D.
Anyway, it may just be me, but I still think the dial is easier to operate on the right, so you can switch it with your right hand while supporting your lens with your left hand. I didn't mean to say it is a superior design, since there must always be a good reason for the manufacturer to put the dial on one side and not the other.
Grbld From Netherlands, joined Dec 2005, 353 posts, RR: 4 Reply 14, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 1073 times:
Quoting Ariis (Reply 6): Quoting Viv (Reply 5):It's on the right on mine (Nikon D200).
Is it?
My goodness Ariis, if you're posting a picture of the D200, please make sure you're posting THE REAL THING. The camera in your picture doesn't exist, in fact it's a badly photoshopped fake that was sent around before the D200 was out.
It's on the right side in my D200 as well. Actually, there's no "mode dial" at all, there's a mode button that you push and then switch modes through the selection dial (also on the right).
The thing on the left has three buttons for ISO, Quality and White Balance, the rotary part switches between single, continuous, timer and mirror lockup modes.
Ariis From Poland, joined Sep 2004, 406 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1047 times:
Quoting Grbld (Reply 14): My goodness Ariis, if you're posting a picture of the D200, please make sure you're posting THE REAL THING. The camera in your picture doesn't exist, in fact it's a badly photoshopped fake that was sent around before the D200 was out.
Man, you're right! I'm terribly sorry for the confusion.
Doing some research I've learnt that that big round dial on D200 is not for changing the mode (as I understand it) but for adjusting ISO, WB, etc. My fault, I think I am too influenced by Canons now.
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I'm terribly sorry for the confusion.
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